Yeti 575?

Hot-tub party!

Finbar, any chance of a piccie of the bars to rdscoleman-taylor@hotmail.com, please?

As for wide bars, I recall WTB doing a 60cm drop bar. Don't know if it's still around though.

MartynS, are you here on holiday or longer term?

How sweet does the 2010 iOid look in yellow! I really hope they're still under a grand as I'm hoping to cyclescheme one. Perfect winter bike.

That's not to say it's not worth bringing your bike. There is some fantastic riding in our area. Just nothing on Woolacombe's doorstep. There are some okay routes around Barnstaple. Snaps is your man for local knowledge.

'Tis true, and it's not been the driest summer down here this year.

Cann woods in Plymouth is your nearest decent riding spot. Fatmuthahubbard off here has loads of secret trails hidden in the bushes up there.

My suggestion would be to bring a road bike. Otherwise, there are a few local trails but nothing to get excited about and they're mostly cheeky with irate farmers/walkers all the way at this time of year.

Your best bet for mtb is Exmoor, although all the really good rising is on the other side in Somerset (about 45mins drive).

I'll have it. Email on it's way.

I love Smith's, but the climb out is a ball-ache. I normally stretch it out and make it a bit more interesting by following some singletrack to Holford.

For me, the Quantocks isn't so much about one specific descent being the best, but the fact that there are so many brilliant sections that link together into a loops so well.

If I really had to pick a favourite, I'd say Weacombe for the flow.

Have a look at Shred West for the dates of the Soggy Bottom races, plus other events in the SW.

Is that when using the two in conjunction could produce an effect greater than each considered separately?

Pretty much. This has been proven in rat-studies quite well in relation to nicotine/ETOH. However, human studies mostly indicate that tolerance to this effect is normally quickly achieved, negating this response (at least, the ones I've read do).

As for using two drugs (or more) to balance yourself out, I have to say that this is an area I don't have a great knowledge in. I have read one study that focused on nicotine/alcohol and indicated such through observations of learning performance during drug use, but as I say, it's not really my area of expertise. It's certainly not something I have any personal experience in. Actually, I recall drinking too much coffee once and then trying to balance it out with some cider so I could sleep. Just made me feel doubly wretched.

Teetotal is definitely my personal stasis of choice, although I do rather enjoy the high of having just cleaned a tricky root section (probably because it's such a rare occasion).

I'd imagine he's a bit embarrassed now

I'm often embarrassed but not on this occasion. There are clear links between alcohol and nicotine in relation to Dopamine synthesis. However, these effects have been shown to be negligible in most human study participants – hence why I suggested that it was most likely, purely psychological in association. There are significant implications with this relationship in terms of relapse in which physiological action may play a major part.

Dr Dolittle, I suspect that no amount of debate on this matter would make any significant change to your opinion and it's certainly not my place in the world to convince you of anything. Perhaps it would be better if we agree to disagree.

Not nonsense and not end-of. You have to ask yourself why you enjoy a rollie with a pint, and I wouldn't dispute that you do. What exactly is it that makes it an enjoyable experience? The fag doesn't make the beer taste any better. Nor can it, as a stimulant, provide any form of physical stress relief.

It's just that our society has associated smoking and drinking together for decades, and many people find it an odd concept to do one without the other because it's what they're 'supposed' to do. As a non-smoker, I can easily enjoy a pint without a fag as it's an association I've never developed.

There's no point to smoking whatsoever. Your association with smoking and drinking is, most likely, purely psychological and based on social conditioning. Good effort on recognising this and keep up the good work. 😀

I work flexi-hours, so normally around at least one day in the week. Tuesdays are normally best for me. When're you gonna be about?

'is there any trail centre around this area' – hahaha, I **** wish! 🙁

As said, Exmoor and Quantocks is where you wanna head. All the best riding in North Devon is actually in Somerset. I'd be happy to show you the bits I know though, although it's all a bit of a drive from Ilfracombe. The road riding around our way is sweet though.

There are some okay BWs around Braunton and Barnstaple. Snaps is your man for these. There's also some fun bits around Lynton/Lynmouth.

All the lads who ride at SW Extreme normally meet on a Wednesday night. Not my cup of tea (prefer a few hours on the moors) but supposed to be pretty good up there.

My pleasure. I'm thinking of buying one and just leaving it in the garage for a rainy day as they're so cheap.

I got an FSA carbon post from On-One/Planet X for £20 plus postage in 27.2 and it's cracking. That needed a shim from 30.9 as it went in my Wife's Rockhopper and it seems fine (no creaks). It also came with non-slip paste too.

Had mine for 8 months and been thoroughly impressed. Very stiff for an XC fork (100mm, QR axle), nice and plus and easy to set-up. Very happy so far. I can particularly notice how much stiffer they are than any other fork I've had as I'm 115kg. Powerbulge does seem to make a considerable difference. I'd definitely buy another pair if I needed to replace them.

Merlin are knocking out OEM ones for about 250 now, I believe. Bar-har-gain.

I was camped next to the Singular team at 24/12 and their bikes looked beautiful. Chatting to the owner regarding whether a 29er is right for me and he seemed really well informed and enthusiastic. Did I mention their bikes were smashing too?

Haro Mary XC and a set of hydraulic brakes for under a grand?

How about going in a different direction up to Yorkshire? The coast around Scarborough is cracking and Dalby is just down the road.

Loads of accommodation in Minehead.

Giant are releasing a couple of XTC 29ers nest year. I also really like the look of the 2010 Scott Scale – http://www.feedthehabit.com/mountain-biking/2010-scott-scale-29er-hardtail-revealed/

I've also seen a few online shops selling Haro Mary XCs for less than £700, which look really nice.

Riding isn't the best in Cornwall. Devon has some amazing riding. Your best bet is to look around South Devon. Gives you good access to cracking beaches in the South Hams (near Plymouth) and close to great riding – Dartmoor, Haldon, Tavi woods, Woodbury Common, Cann Woods/Newnham. Quantocks isn't too tricky from here either.

Holidaying in North Devon can be ace but you do need to drive for the best riding. I live in Barnstaple and normally travel out to Exmoor & Quantocks (normally about an hour in the motor). There is some okay local riding. The lads at Southfork in Braunton are normally happy to show people about over that side. Snaps and Azarat are local lads from the forum who really know local trails.

Above all, enjoy your holiday. Weather here was cracking today! 😀

Yeah, but the cheap models don't come with the decent Fox shock. Reckon it makes a big difference though?

I'll swap your shock for a block of wood with two holes in and make it feel like a hardtail.

Just to throw a spanner, how about one of them there Ragley frames? Price is halfway between the cotic and the 456.

What don't you like about your trance?

But once they've got through their withdrawal symptoms they'll be more chilled out than ever before.

I'm on my second 4" Trance too. Bouth a 2008 frame only for less than £500 new in January. I've not ridden many other full-suss frames (as I'm loads bigger than all my other riding mates) so hard for me to compare performance, but I'm very happy with it. I quite like the idea of an Anthem X 29er, so we'll see what Giant come up with iver the next couple of years.

Unlike everyone else, I actually prefer mine with 100mm forks. Tried some 130s on my old frame (1st gen trance) and never got on with it. Didn't feel any benefit in the extra travel and it never felt that precise in the handling. They were Manitous though, which could go some lengths to explain why it felt crap. Got 100mm 09 Rebas on and they're ace!

Soz, but sunshine and surf this weekend means I won't be about. Charlie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to hidden bits of singletrack. You'll definitely have a good time with him leading.

I really like the look of the Giant XTC 29ers that are coming out next year, although I suspect they may be jolly expensive if the American prices are guide.

I also really like the look of the Haro. Just swap the brakes and it'd be cracking.

Right, I'm off to the beach for a cheeky longboard session before work. 😀

If you're looking at beginner pop-outs (Bic, NSP, Cortez, etc.), I'd suggest buying second hand. All of these type of boards will just frustrate you once you improve and they should hold their value when you want to sell it, while you'll lose a fair bit if you buy from new. Plenty of hire shops rent these type of boards as well as the yellow foamie you'll have learnt on. All the main beaches in my area (North Devon) have shops right on the sand.

Sounds like Bintangman is probably about right, but you're better off asking shapers what they'd suggest for you as there are a large number of variables that will influence what you need. There are loads of good shapers in the UK and I'm always keen to support them, rather than buy Taiwanese/Chinese made boards. Getting a custom board made for you is also a lot of fun, particullarly as you can get them sprayed up with skulls and stuff.

Where are you going to be surfing next? I'm assuming you don't live at the beach.

Link doesn't work now. Try here:

http://bikenhike.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=58030

Think I'm smitten, although seems a lot of dough for a deore/alivio equipped bike.

Maybe there are a number of Commencal frames failing because their branding encourages hard riding? There are bound to be some breakages now and again, surely?

Booked my place but had to back out at the last minute. Gave my entry to someone on here so hope they had a good time.